By Jenna Lebovits
“Women lose most of their confidence by the time they’re 14 years old,” Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos says, citing a staggering statistic. “Why do we have to wait?” she asks. “Why do our daughters, nieces, friends and women, in general, have to wait to regain their confidence?”
It’s an important question, and one that Dayssi and her daughter, Sophia Kanavos, set out to answer a few years ago. What if we didn’t have to accept the fact that, according to renowned speaker, author and gender equity advocate Joan Kuhl, it typically takes 26 years for women to feel confident again?
As the mother-daughter duo rose in their respective industries—Dayssi in luxury real estate and hospitality and Sophia in marketing and development—they found themselves in spaces that were overwhelmingly male-dominated. Even in 2025, “We’re usually the only women in the room for many of our meetings,” Dayssi shares. “We felt that at some of the conferences we were going to, it was mostly men, not only as attendees, but the speakers and honorees, so we felt there was definitely something lacking.”
Then, during one Women’s History Month following the COVID-19 pandemic, the two noticed a trend among many of the female-focused events they were a part of: The celebrations felt more symbolic than structural. Their response was to create an accessible platform that not only honors women and their collective power, but also elevates them through mentorship, education and community connection. “After attending many business conferences, we thought, maybe what we need to do is not just celebrate women,” says Dayssi, “but help lift them up and elevate where they are today on their path in business, and try to level the playing field in the business world.”
The Kanavos’ shared vision became reality with the launch of the Women’s Power Series, and its debut Women’s Power Breakfast in March 2023 during International Women’s Week at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach in Miami Beach, bringing together more than 200 women from across the country. Since its inception, the Women’s Power Series has connected thousands of women and some of the most influential names across wellness, technology, AI and finance, including fitness mogul Tracy Anderson, Alexandra Wilkis Wilson (co-founder of Gilt, GlamSquad and Clerisy), and Lorine Pendleton, founder of 125 Ventures.
Traditionally, women’s business gatherings have been exclusive, often reaching the $10,000 mark once travel, lodging and ticket price are factored in, inevitably leaving many without a seat at the table (and not a very diverse table, at that). “We wanted to make conferences that are easily accessible to all women, instead of these other major conferences where barriers to entry are very high,” says Dayssi. The Women’s Power Series is a modern take on the classic women’s business gathering, with its half-day events (fit for working moms who may need to drop off their children and return to the office in the afternoon) and tiered pricing. “We have [both] lower rates and a more expensive price point,” shares Dayssi. “It all depends on what you can afford, what you want to afford and where you want to sit in the room—but at least you have a seat at the table.”
Conference tickets are available to young women for as low as $250, with 100 percent of all ticket sales proceeds and the female-founded marketplace proceeds directly benefiting nonprofit partners. It’s women investing in women—not only financially, but emotionally, socially and professionally, too. And Dayssi is a firm believer in investing in women’s futures. “I want to help women gain their confidence, because that will give them power,” she shares. “That will make them not want to reduce themselves and become invisible, or be the quiet person in the corner and not participate in a meeting.” Her advice for people in leadership positions: Provide women more opportunities to manage, and to lead negotiations and meetings in the workplace.
Both Sophia and Dayssi bring unique perspectives to their shared mission. “It’s a really interesting dynamic because we’re from totally different generations. I love that I get feedback from somebody who’s in their 20s and has had a whole different life experience than I’ve had,” says Dayssi. “We always have to innovate and make sure that we are appealing to people in her generation.”
This intergenerational spirit was palpable at the most recent Women’s Power Breakfast at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad on October 3, where more than 250 women, from early-career professionals to industry leaders, and even a few grandmothers, gathered. The ballroom was abuzz with energy and excitement as attendees mingled and listened to candid conversations with C-suite founders and creative trailblazers. “My mom is the one that really pushed us to have and aim for the really high-caliber speakers that we’ve gotten,” says Sophia. “We really wanted them to be founders or C-level executives.”
Sophia describes the atmosphere at the gathering as electric. “When I look out at the audience, I see women who have come together that are really passionate about their careers, prioritizing themselves and what they’re building, and you see how important it is to them,” she says. “It’s inspiring to be around women who are incredible trailblazers in their industries and have created some of the most important companies that impact our daily lives.”
But the momentum doesn’t stop when the conference comes to an end. “We see a lot of women who start getting press accolades on their own, or start collaborating together and doing brand deals among one another,” says Sophia. Like Nicoline Roth, founder of trending fitness concept NRTHRN Strong, who was seated near a journalist at the event and landed an organic Newsweek shoutout later that week, spotlighting the opening of its NYC flagship location. It’s a space where confidence grows through community, where each woman’s win lifts the others. Dayssi’s advice for women today: “We need to be more supportive of each other, compete less with each other and lift each other up.”
Looking ahead, the Women’s Power Series is in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “We’re putting together a board of advisers now,” says Sophia. “Once we’re able to achieve that, it’ll be great to be able to spread proceeds out to organizations that we feel inclined to partner with.” womenspowerseries.org